Do Angels understand a Christian's Salvation?

The Bible says that we have "entertained angels unawares", meaning they have observed us doing the will of God or they have simply watched us carry out our day-to-day human lives. Humans may have carried on conversations without even knowing they had talked to an Angel. There are many different types of Angels, each with unique roles that serve the will of God. But do Angels understand salvation? Do they know and understand the relationship a Christian has with Jesus? Do they look upon a Christian's salvation, the Divine plan for it, and wonder at God's glorious gift to us? There are only a couple of passages in the Bible that give us a glimpse into what Angels might think about this subject. Only humans can experience this saving grace of our Lord and this may be why Angels are so curious about God's perfect plan of salvation. This makes us far more privileged than they and why Satan "seeks to devour" or destroy the human race because of his deep jealousy of God's children.

1 Peter 1:1-12 Peter has a lot to say in these twelve verses. First, Peter addresses a Christian's destiny, which is their salvation through the "living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." He also speaks of our "inheritance" that is "reserved in Heaven" for all who believe. Peter then goes on to explain the genuineness of ones faith is "much more precious than of gold." True faith cannot be destroyed though God is in the process of refining our faith through our trials. Verse 10 and verse 11 is important in that it shows how much the Old Testament prophets knew of Christ. "The spirit of Christ" dwelled in them. Verse 12 reads, "which the angels desire to look into." This is interpreted in the same manner as when Peter approached the empty tomb of Jesus. Lit: desire to stoop to look into. Christians stand in a better position to fully understand what it means to be redeemed through Jesus Christ, rather than the angels who seem to be in wonder and marvel of this process.

Ephesians 3:9-13 "fellowship of the mystery". This identifies Truth that was previously hidden from common knowledge. Now it is revealed and only discernable through the Holy Spirit. Our saving faith and personal relationship with Christ is what angels marvel at and is curious of. This "mystery" has now been made known to the church and to "the principalities and powers in heavenly places."

It could be argued that even the prophets may lack a certain understanding of a Christian's personal relationship with Jesus. Its interesting that in 1 Peter 1:10-12, that this is the only place in the Bible where angels and prophets are mentioned together in the same context. Angels long to desire or stoop down from their view point and into ours, to try and understand this gift of salvation and personal relationship with our Savior. Christians of today know what the prophets never knew and we experience what the angels wish they knew!

There is an interesting part of Christian folklore that dealt with the concept of nonhuman creatures seeking Christ's salvation.

A song called Herr Mannelig recounts a folklore story of a troll making promises of wealth and property to a Christian in exchange for marriage (and an implied crack at salvation by two flesh becoming one, etc. See 1 Cor 7:14). In the story the troll goes so far as to risk her life by being exposed to sunlight (they turn to stone in the sun) in an attempt to woo the Christian into marriage and by extention save her mortal soul. The Christian rejects the troll noting that he would had considered differently "had she been a Christian woman"

1 Cor 7:14 has an interesting context if we consider the interpretation of fallen angels, nephilim, and a sometimes physical nature of angels. Could an nonhuman marry a Christian and become sanctified by Christ through that union? It seems possible. If nothing else it was certainly considered in Christian history.

Luke chapter 15

[1] Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
[2] And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
[3] And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
[4] What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
[5] And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
[6] And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
[7] I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
[8] Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
[9] And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
[10] Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

In the same manner ("likewise") that the friends and neighbors rejoiced at the finding of that which was lost, so, too, do the angels in heaven apparently rejoice with God when a sinner repents unto salvation.

This seems to indicate that the angels have at least some idea as to why they're rejoicing together with God.

As far as angels' level of understanding of salvation is concerned, we should also consider some of the messages that God sent through them.

For example:

Matthew chapter 1

[18] Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
[19] Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
[20] But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
[21] And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

When this angel of the Lord told Joseph that Mary was with child of the Holy Ghost and that Jesus "shall save his people from their sins", did he understand what that meant?

Here's another example:

Luke chapter 1

[26] And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
[27] To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
[28] And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
[29] And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
[30] And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
[31] And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
[32] He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
[33] And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
[34] Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
[35] And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
[36] And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
[37] For with God nothing shall be impossible.
[38] And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Did the angel Gabriel have understanding of these things which he foretold concerning the births of both Jesus and John the Baptist and what Jesus would accomplish as both the son of David and the Son of God?

Anyhow, some things for you to consider.